Drive-chain



No; 6I5,882.

.1. NEIL DRIVE CHAIN.

. (Application filed Feb. 28, 189B.) No Model.)

IE HEW Ill-ll Patented 'Dec. I3, I898.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN NEIL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 615,882, dated December 13, 1898.

Application filed February 28, 1898. Serial No. 672,083. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN NEIL, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drive-Chains, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming'a part of this specification, in which corresponding letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts. The object of my invention is to provide a drive chain having detachable links which may be cheaply constructed and which shall possess the maximum of durability, strength, and efficiency, said chain being adapted more particularly for the propulsion of bicycles.

A further object is to so construct said chain as to reduce the friction upon its parts to a minimum, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of three links of my improved chain as they would appear when in use. Fig. 2 is a side View thereof, in which one of the links is shown in section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of two links, showing the manner in which they may be manipulated in order to connect or disconnect the links. Fig. 4 is a side View of two links, showing a modified construction; and Fig. 5 is a side view of a series of links, showing a still further modification. I

Referring to the drawings,- a represents an oblong rectangular link, which I term the primary link, formed from a single piece of metal having an oblong opening therein adapted to receive a secondary or connecting link I). The side bars or walls 0 of the primary link are narrow, as shown in Fig. 1, but have a depth considerably greater than their width, as represented in the other figures. On the other hand, the cross-bars or end pieces d are comparatively slight in depth, but wide transversely when measured lengthwise of the chain, thereby leaving a wide groove beneath the cross-bars d and between the side bars a sufficient to receive the body of the secondary link I), so that the longitudinal axes of the two links may substantially coincide. The inner edges or contact-surfaces e of the cross-bars d are so shaped as to present an engaging surface to the connecting-link represented by a blunt knife-edge,

which should not be so sharp as to interfere with its wearing qualities. The side bars of the primary link are preferably curved inwardly toward the bottom, as shown at f, and are provided with notches g at the top for the reception of the projecting ends of the connecting-links, as hereinafter stated.

, Each of the secondary or connecting links 19 consists of a bar, the body of which is substantially straight and of awidth corresponding to that of the space between the side bars, while the thickness is substantially that of the space between the bottom of the crossbars and that of the side pieces. The respective ends of the secondary links are bent upwardly to form hooks h, the outer surface of which is rounded, substantially as shown, while the inner face i is at an angle to the body of the link considerably more obtuse than that represented by the bearing-face e of the crossbar, with which it is intended to engage in the manner more clearly shown in Figs. 2; 45 and The ends of the hooks are provided with lateral projections jj, which are long enough to slightly overlap the side bars 0 and engage therewith and with the notches g, and as the shoulders k of said notches are quite abrupt they serve to prevent a backward movement of the secondary links when the chain is slackened and to retain said projections within the notches.

In Fig. 3 I have indicated the manner in which the connection is effected between the two links. The secondary link is inserted flatwise within the opening in the primary link until the hook projects through, when the body is turned at right angles to its pri mary position. It is then free to be straight ened out and moved longitudinally until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. t I have shown a modification of said invention in which the notches g are dis pensed with and the hooks h are made somewhat longer, so as to permit the projections j to lie upon the top of the side bars.

In Fig. 5 the construction is still further modified by lessening the depth and changing the shape of the notches g and curving the body of the secondary links I). This con-= struction permits the chain to be reversed, so that either side may be placed outwardly, the construction shown in the other figures, while considered as preferable, being only adapted to bend in one direction.

In Fig. 1 I have shown notches Z in the side bars of one of the links. This is intended only for the last link in the series, and the notches are deep enough to receive the projectionsj upon the secondary link and to enable the connection between the two to be effected without turning the secondary link, as above described.

My improved chain possesses the advantages of simplicity and cheapness in manufacture and of great durability, inasmuch as the bearing-surfaces of the connecting-links are so constructed as to largely eliminate the grinding action incident to the presence of grit.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination in a drive-chain of primary links consisting of integral cross and side bars, the tops of the latter being flush with the tops of the former, but having a depth greater than the thickness of said crossbars, whereby a groove is provided beneath the cross-bars and between the side bars, and secondary links constructed to lie in said groove and provided with end hooks adapted to engage said cross-bars and having laterallyprojecting lugs upon their ends adapted to overlie said side walls, substantially as described. g

2. The combination of the primary and secondary links a and b, the former being provided with the cross-bars (Z and notches g, and the latter with end hooks adapted to engage said cross-bars and lateral projections upon said hooks to engage said notches, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 96th day of February, 1898.

D. II. FLETCHER, FLORENCE KING. 

